Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did not need to watch the College Football Playoff Top 25 show Tuesday night. He was certain his Tigers would be included, and, considering the four games remaining on the regular-season schedule, he was also certain that Clemson’s initial ranking will be immaterial.

The CFP selection committee ranked Clemson No. 2. Clemson has appeared in the Top 4 of the first CFP standings in four consecutive season. This could also be the fourth consecutive season Clemson appears in the final bracket. Clemson earned the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in each of the previous three seasons.

“That’s great, but it just doesn’t matter. We’ve got to beat Louisville,” Swinney said, citing the Atlantic Coast Conference opponent who will visit Clemson on Saturday. “That’s the only thing we’re locked in on.”

The top of the standings will definitely change next week. No. 1 Alabama will visit No. 3 Louisiana State. The loser of that game will not fall far, but it will not retain one of those coveted Top 4 spots.

Notre Dame, the only remaining undefeated Power Five team besides Alabama and Clemson, opened at No. 4. Michigan, whose only loss of the season was against Notre Dame, opened at No. 5. Its rival Ohio State opened at No. 10.

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, LSU cornerback Greedy Williams (29) celebrates his interception with safety Grant Delpit (9) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (22) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southeastern Louisiana, in Baton Rouge, La. Greedy Williams, cornerback at LSU and a member of the preseason All-America team, will go up against fellow All-America preseason member Jerry Jeudy, a receiver at Alabama, on Saturday, Nov. 3 when No. 1 Alabama travels to Baton Rouge, La., to face No. 4 LSU. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)(Photo: The Associated Press)

Clemson has notched three wins against teams ranked in the Top 25— No. 19 Syracuse, Texas A&M and No. 21 North Carolina State. Clemson will visit No. 22 Boston College next week. Clemson could also face No. 25 Virginia in the ACC Championship Game

“I said before the year I think we’re one of the 12 or 15 teams that maybe have a shot, and that’s where we want to be every year,” Swinney said. “We want to be a team that has a chance. Some years you’re going to have things go your way, and some years you’re not. You try to be the best version of that team each year. We’re in position.”

CLOSE

Dabo Swinney says his team has earned their spot in the poll
The Greenville News